Apparatus for applying therapeutically-active rays to the human body.



E. ZUEBLIN. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING THERAPEUTICALLY ACTIVE RAYS TO THE HUMAN BODY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. H. I915.

rammed June 5, 191? 2 SHEETS SPQEET I- Wi tweocw ill) ltd

lit 5 till ERNEST ZUEBLIN, OF BALTIILVIDEE, IVKAEYLAND.

Application filed November 17, 1915.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

lie it known that 1, Easter ZUEBLIN, a citizen oi Elwitzerland residing at Baltimore, in the State of ll/laryland, have in vented certain new and useful improvements in Apparatus for Applying Therapeutically-llctive Rays to the Human Body, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ainhnproved apparatus for applying therapeutically active rays to the human body for the treatment of skin diseases or certain diseasedorgans.

By the improved apparatus the rays can be applied to the particular part of the body L to be treated. on account of the improved construction of the electrodes and the means :l'or supporting them as desired.

The electric energy for generating the rays may be obtained from any suitable source but it is in no way or" material importance to the present invention.

Tlhe invention is illustrated in the accorn-- panying' drawings wherein,-

Fig. 1, shows the improved apparatus in side elevation in connection with an operating table to aid in supporting the patient,the two electrode-supporting devices being arranged on opposite sides of the table for convenience in operation.

Fig. 2, shows the movable electrode in longitudinal section and on an enlarged scale.

Fig". 3, illustrates the stationary electrodesupport and electrode carried thereby in front elevation.

Fig". 4, shows the top plan.

Fig. 5, illustrates the Sillflfi in cross-section.

Fig". 6, shows a detailot the means for adinstably supporting the movable electrode.

Figs. 7 and 8, illustrate details of the same.

Fig. 9, shows in top plan the circular disk which carries the projecting; pins for the movable electrode.

Fig. 10. illustrates a convex form of applicator glass for the movable electrode.

Fig. 11, shows a concave form of glass that may be employed on the movable electrode.

Fig. 12 shows a sectional detail through stationary electrode in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ill ltlll l.

filerial No. 61,865.

the cushion that coacts with the stationary electrode! in carrying out my invention it may einploy two electrode devicesv and for the pur pose of distinguishing one from the other I will herein refer to them respectively as the stationary electrode and movable elcctrode.

The stationary electrode is preferably sustained on two supporting; bars 9,- that extend parallel and in an upright direction from a base 10, which latter preferably is mounted on casters or rollers 11, for con venienoe in shifting.

Each supporting bar 9 is provided with. a bracket guide 12, which embraces the bar so as to slide vertically thereon and is held in any desired position on said bar by means of a set or wing-nut 13. A vertical plate ll, projects from one side of the bracket guide and has a perforation 15, therein and also has a segment slot 16, that curves in a direction to partially encircle said perform tion, all for a purpose presently to be ere plained.

lhe stationary electrode comprises a metallie open frame 17', preferably of rectangular shape and having its opposite side bars extending beyond said frame proper to form two arms 18, which project at the inner side of the plates 14, on bracket guides 12, so that a bolt 19, may pass through the plate and "then through one arm 18, of the electrode-traine' and thereby pivotallv connect said electrode-frame with the bracket guide.

Clhe side of each arm 18, also has a clamp bolt 20, which projects through the segrnent slot 16., in the bracket plate 14, so as to clamp said plates and the arms together in an adjusted position.

The open frame of the stationary electrode is provided along its opposite side bars with inwardly-extending fianges 2l, which provide supports for a series of spaced-apart copper plates 22, whose ends seat on saidflanges. Wooden strips 23, are also provided in the open frame and are placed at opposite sides of the copper plates so as to provide protection for the body of a person and prevent direct contact of the copper plates with that portion otthe body that is being treated.

' A. binding post 2%, is also provided on till frame 17, for the attachment of a conductor wire.

A plurality of insulating blocks 25, are also preferably provided on the under side of the frame 17, for sustaining the latter in an elevated position in case the frame is laid on a floor or other support for a patient to stand upon during treatment.

From the foregoing explanation it will be be seen that the stationary electrode frame 17, may be held in any desired position,

for example horizontally from the brackets 12, or in an inclined position "by said brackets and the locking bolts 20, or said frame may be placed on the floor or above the head of a patient.

In a majority of treatments the supports 9, carrying the frame 17, will-be held rolled to the side of an operating table or bed 26, and the frame adjusted and projected over such table or bed in the position that will best receive and sustain that part ofthe patients body that is to be treated.

The movable electrode, for convenience, is sustained preferably on a vertical rod 27, mounted on a base 28, having casters or rollers 29, whereby the same may be conveniently moved along the side of a table or bed. An adjustable bracket 30, is carried on the rod 27, and said bracket is provided with a socket member 31, which receives a ball 32, on the end of a rod or bar 33.

The socket member, in the present instance, is provided with a series of pointed trunnion-bolts 34, so that diametrically-opposed bolts on said member may be turned to engage the inner ends thereof with the ball 32, and thereby enable the ball to be accurately rocked in said socket so as to permit a swinging motion of the bar or rod 33.

A slidable bracket-support 35, is carried on the said bar or rod 33, and may be adjustably secured thereon by means of a set bolt 36, and this bracket support has, in the present instance, a circular head 37, which head is roughened or serrated at one side, and a threaded stem 38, projects laterally from the center of said circular head, for a purpose presently to be explained.

The movable electrode is carried by a cylindrical shell 39, having a circular head 40, at one side and said head also has a roughened or serrated face. An opening extends through the head 40, and the shell39, so that the stem 38, on the head 37, of the bracket 35, may project through said openings and pivotally sustain the shell. A nut 41, is provided on the outer end of the stem so that the two circular roughened-faced heads may be locked together after the shell has been swung on the stem 38, to the desired position. By this means theshell may readily be swung on the stem to give it any desired angle and this adjustment together with the The construction of this movable elec-' trode is best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing wherein it will be seen that the cylindrical shell 39, which is adjustably carried from the bar or rod 33, has a longitudinal cavity 42, therein and that a tube 43, telescopically enters said shell cavity and has both ends open,the outer end of said latter tube being provided with an annular flange 44, with the exterior screw threads thereon, for a purpose that will presently be explained.

A tube 45, is provided on the interior of the tube 43, and at its inner end. said tube 45, has a circular exterior flange 46, thatv snugly fits the shell 39, and is rigidly secured thereto by means of a screw 47. A longitudinal slot 48. is provided in the tube 45, and a stopscrew 49 is carried by the telescoping tube .43, and projects into said slot 48. whereby to limit the movement of tube 43. on the tube 45.

A tubular shell 50, of insulating material is provided on the interior of tube 45, and has its inner end 51, closed and its outer end open. This shell is also rigid with respect to the outer shell 39, being held therein by screw 47.

In the insulating shell there is provided a metal head from which a stem 53, pro jects,said stem extending through the shell and projecting beyond the annular flange 44, on the telescoping tube 43.

A bushing 54, of insulating material extends through the shell 39. and also through the tube 45, and shell 50, and a. binding post 55, passes through said bushing and has its inner end secured in the metal head 52, while the outer end of said post carries the usual wire binding nuts 56. In practice the arrangement of devices at the operating end of the movable electrode may be varied to suit the particular work to be done.for instance in the form of device shown in Fig. 2, I provide a cylindric shell 57, which is internally threaded at one end to screw onto the annular flange 44. of the telescoping tube 43. whereby to form a chamber 53. In practice this chamher is to contain solid substances. such as metal chippings or fluid substances, which are to be rendered radioactive by the passage of an electric current.

The stem 53, has its end terminating in the chamber 53. and said end carries a circular disk 59, from which project a series of metallic pins (30. Beneath the pins the shell 57. is closed by means of a glass plate or applicator 61. which latter may also vary in shape. but in the form shown is flat.

I also find it desirable, in some instances,

a sence to temper the rays emanating from chamber 58, and 1 effect this by providing a ringshaped structure 62, having a slot 63, therein so that a screen or diaphragm 6%, preferably of almninum, and of a thickness to suit the particular rays desired, may be inserted in said slot between the applicator glass and the part of the body that is to be treated. V

In some instances I iind it desirable to employ a. convex applicator glass 65, in the end of the movable electrode, in which instance I may employ a structure such as illustrated in Fig. 10 oi the drawing, in which glass is mounted in a ring 06, that will screw onto the annular fiange l, of the telescoping tube as.

In another instance it may be desirable to employ a concave applicator glass 67, such as is illustrated in Fig. 11, and which is carried by a collar 68, which may be screwed to the flange 44, of said telescopic tube on the movable electrode.

l or treatment the patient may be placed in a position so that the portion of the body to be treated rests upon the slatted stationary electrode, which may be covered with a blanket or provided .with a cushion 69, con taining a filling of metallic screenings or medicinal substanee.such as illustrated in Fig. 12, of the drawing. This electrode has a connection at binding post 24, with a current supply or generator.

. The substance inclosed by the applicator glass will be placed in the applicator end, the nature of the substance depending on the work to be done.

The movable electrode is then brought into operative relation to that portion of the body that is to be treated and the current turned on so that the perator may move the electrode over the body during the application of the rays for either external treatment In practice and for routine work I employ a voltage of about 100,000 more or less but of a very low amperage. 7

Practical application of this process has resulted in very favorable results in the treatment oi dry and wet pleurisy, in neuralgia. inflammation of the sciatic nerve. in rheumatism oi the joints and muscles and in many infectious diseases.

Through this treatment considerable pain can be removed and the signs of inflammation reduced. 7

Having described my invention what I claim is,

1. Tu an apparatus for applying therapeit tically-active rays to the human body comprising an adjustably sustained stationary electrode, an adjustably-sustaincd movable electrode said movable electrode having a chamber therein for the reception oi a subinternal or stance, a series of pins in said chamber, a glass applicator closing said chamber and connections on the said electrodes for connecting the same with a current supply.

2. In an apparatus for applying therapeutically-active rays to the human body comprising an adjustablysustained stationary electrode, an adjustablysustained movable electrode said movable electrode having a chamber therein for the reception of a substance, a series of pins in said chamber, a glass applicator closing said chamber, means for effecting an adjustment between the pins and the glass applicator and conections on i said electrodes for connecting the same with a current supply.

3. in an apparatus for applying therapeutically-active rays to the human body the combination with an electrode support, of an electrode including a frame with a series of spaced-apart plates thereon; means for connecting the electrode frame with the support to permit vertical and pivotal adjustment, a covering for the plates and means to connect said plates with a current.

4-. In an apparatus for applying therapeutically active rays to the human body, an electrode including a frame having a series of spaced-apart metallic plates thereon and each plate being covered by a strip of nonconducting material and means to connect the plates with a current.

5. In an apparatus for applying therapeutically-active rays to the human body, an-

electrode including a tubular shell with a telescoping tube movable therein,-said telescoping tube having a chamber for the reception of a substance to be rendered radioactive; a glass covering to close said chambeer and means to conduct a. current into said chamber.

6. In an apparatus for applying therapeir tioally-active rays to the human body, an electrode including a tubular shell; a tube telescopically engaging said. shell and carrying a chambered head; a series of pins sustained in the chambered head; a glass at one side of said chambered head and means for providing a connection between the pins and a source of current.

7. in an apparatus for applying therapeip tically-active rays to the human body, an

electrode including a tubular shell; 3 tube telescopically engaging said shell and carrying a chambered headi a stem in the shell; a series of pins in the chambered head and carried by the stem; means for holding the stem and pins stationary in the chambered head while the telescoping tube and head are moved: a glass closing the 'hambered head and means for providing a connection between the stem and a source of current.

8. ln an apparatus for applying therapeutically-actire rays to the human body, an

electrode including a tubular shell; a tube telescopically engaging said shell and carrying a chambered head; a series of pins sustained in the chambered head; a glass at one side of said chambered head; a screen; means at the outer side of the glass for sustaining said screen and means for providing a connection between the pins and a source of current.

9. In an apparatus for applying therapeutically-active rays to the human body, including an electrode support; an electrode having a tubular shell with a tube telescoping therewith and carrying a chambered head for the reception of a substance tonbe rendered radioactive; a current conductor terminating at said chambered head; a glass covering for the chambered head andmeans for adjustably connecting the tubular shell with the support. v

10. The combination with a support, of an arm having a universal connection with said support; a tubular shell; a tube telescopically engaging said shell; a chambered head carried by and movable with said tube; a

glass carried by said head and closing one a side thereof; a current conductor interior of the tube and terminating at saidchambered head; means for connecting said current conductor with a source of current, and means for adjustably carrying the tubular shell from said arm.

11. In an apparatus for applying thera peutically-active rays to the human body in cluding an electrode having a tubular shell; a tube telescoping said shell and carrying a chambered head at its outer end; a sleeve of insulating material on the interior of the shell; a stem in said insulating sleeve and sustaining a series of pins in said chambered head; a glass carried by said head and closing said chamber and means for connecting said stem with a current.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST ZUEBLIN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. MANN, J11, BERTHA K. \VALTEK. 

